Rising from the ashes with hope and love

IN 2009, uMhlanga resident, Sharon van Straaten, was diagnosed with stage four (terminal) lymph cancer. What’s more, doctors told the 51-year-old that she would only survive for a year. It was in that moment, sitting on the hospital bed, that she refused to accept the news.

Instead, she fought the disease with everything she had, staying positive in the firm belief that her body would follow her mind. Following intensive chemo and radiation therapy treatment, Sharon, against all medical expectations, is still in remission.

Her journey and triumphant battle also led her to start the Pink Phoenix Cancer Foundation in 2012 as an awareness initiative, to educate and encourage others to survive.

The foundation has a number of projects, which includes Kids 4 Life, which financially assists children diagnosed with cancer under treatment in paediatric oncology, and the awareness initiative, Brave & Beautiful, which tells the story of cancer survivors in the hope of inspiring others battling the disease. Van Straaten added that the long-term goal for Pink Phoenix is to establish a support centre which will offer nutritional, psychological, physical and group support to cancer survivors and their families.

“It didn’t feel real, being told I had terminal cancer and that it was inoperable because of where the cancer was situated. The doctor sat at the end of my bed and said, ‘You have a year to live, make the most of it.’ But I refused to accept my diagnosis, I was determined to beat the cancer. The thought of leaving my children and my husband was too much.

“My resolve was tested during the chemo and radiation treatments but still I fought as much as I could. I was also determined to never look sick, so when I had my treatment, I’d wear make-up and high heels all in an effort to keep my mind positive. I even set myself a goal and booked a trip to Disney Land a year later, but on the exact same date that I was diagnosed. Every time I felt down or defeated, I’d think of the trip with my family and that kept me motivated and it became my absolute focus,” she said.

Her journey and time as a motivational speaker led Van Straaten to start Pink Phoenix Cancer Foundation.

“The phoenix was symbolic in that it is a mythical bird that sets itself on fire from its own heat and re-emerges from its own ashes, reborn and released from the sentence of death. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved as a foundation since its inception. The local community has also been incredible in their support, we could never do this on our own. My team has just been phenomenal. Our biggest achievement to date was getting our public beneficial organisation (PBO) status.

“We have also taken on our awareness initiative, Brave and Beautiful, and published our first book featuring the incredible and heart-warming survival stories of our ambassadors. These inspirational stories of survival are there to educate and inspire others diagnosed with cancer to survive and to showcase the power of the human spirit. We’ve already placed them in oncologist’s waiting rooms, which was our goal as a foundation,” she said.

For more information on the foundation visit www.pinkphoenix.co.za.

Knowing Sharon Van Straaten

Name five words that best describe you: “I would say I’m sociable, adventurous, demanding, determined and family-orientated.”

What do you think about when you’re alone in your car? “My mind doesn’t stop, I’m always planning things in advance.”

What makes you angry? “ Being tickled, I burst into tears and I get so angry.”

Name one thing we don’t know about you: “I was a Rotary exchange student for ONE year in El Paso, Texas, after I matriculated”.

What is your strongest family memory? “Every weekend, my dad would take us skiing and fishing on Klerksdorp Dam. I was a pretty good water skier in my youth.”

Community Heroes

Gary lives for his true calling (Hero #1)

Tyron’s aim is community safety (Hero #2)

Jason Ssserves the community (Hero #3)

Carol van Tonder: A woman for any ‘crisis’ (Hero #4)

Bonni’s brave new adventure brings hope (Hero #5)

Alison’s altruism shines through (Hero #6)

An advocate of the counter narrative (Hero #7)

You don’t have to face the tragedy ‘SOLO’ (Hero #8)